Create Clean, Straight Lines Using Matching Curtain Poles

If you have the advantage of having a large dining area maximising the amount of natural light during the day by using sheer curtains creates a striking and informal ambiance to the area.

Having full length sheer curtains which cover two walls will also create the illusion of more space, along with clean lines and chic styles which suit both modern and contemporary homes effortlessly.

Using curtains poles which fit neatly into the corners of the room also provide a style which is well thought out, bringing cohesion to the area. White or ivory sheer curtains such as voiles or faux silk add a touch of contrast against the robust and durable practicalities of a dining room furniture. This juxtaposition enables the curtains to be hung from dark coloured curtain poles to compliment the colour of the the dining suite beautifully and elegantly.

Try mixing sheer lightweight fabrics with chunky furniture to create stunning interiors which have a eclectic mix of textures to add depth with harmony to your dining room. Using full length curtains will also add height to a room as well as being the perfect solution for dressing patio or French doors which are typically found in dinning rooms of traditionally styled homes.

Image: A Life's Design

Black Venetian Blinds Provide Style And Impact To Modern Interiors

Metal Venetian blinds have been available for years with many people being more used to seeing them in offices than people's homes. However, their versatility and practicality has made them a very popular window dressing in all styles of homes.

Recent manufacturing concepts means that the clanking, noisy Venetian blinds are a thing of the past, smooth operating systems and a diversity of different colours provides a chic and stylish window dressing either when used on their own or in conjunction with ready made curtains.

Black Venetian blinds provides an understated impact to a window and it the perfect choice for creating contemporary monochromatic colour schemes.

If privacy is high on your interior design agenda than Venetian blinds tick all the right boxes! Enabling you to have complete control over the amount of light entering your room, along with ability to tilt the blinds to provide complete privacy from prying eyes without restricting natural light. If you don't have passers-by looking in then you cab simply pull up the blinds to your desired height to provide maximum light along with chic interior styling! Angle the louvres upwards and it is possible to bounce the natural light off of a white ceiling back down into the room.

Image: Little French Nest Blog

Are You Prepared For Potential Floods?

According to UKCIP (UK Climate impact Programme) 'In the next 25 years, 80,000 homes could be affected by flooding..'

With many homes and their occupants already experienced the devastation flood waters can do to homes, there are some useful tips which may help to lessen the blow should your home be affected this winter.

Always follow instructions given by the emergency services.

Check whether your house is liable to flooding. This may sound rather daft, however, just because you haven't been affected before there is no telling whether you may be in the future, so checking is wise so that you can be prepared for a worst case scenario.

Check weather forecasts and flood alerts to begin moving as many of your possessions as you can upstairs if you live in a two or more storey house. If you live in a ground floor flat or a bungalow ask friends and family to take care of your belongs for you. Many things you may be able to replace, however, treasured photographs and mementos are irreplaceable.

If you have floor length curtains it would be wise to take them down, otherwise they can act in the same way as a wick and soak the water upwards. Replace the curtains with inexpensive aluminium Venetian blinds so that you still have privacy both day and night.

Above all else remember not to take any risks which could endanger your own or others lives.

Image: Living Art and Interiors Blogspot

Tickled Pink In The Bedroom!

Pink, love or loathe it? Whichever your stance it remains one of the most popular colour schemes for girl's bedrooms! Maybe it associate with Barbie or just because of the stereotypical colour associated with girls!

Throughout the world all shades of pink are used to create 'girlie' bedrooms! It's a timeless classic which can be used in all styles and designs of homes. Typically teamed with white walls and ceilings for a fairy tale princess look for young girls, pink bedrooms can be re-vamped cost effectively for teenage girls by coordinating black for a dramatic statement look or transformed into gorgeous sensuous places when combined with orange, lilac or indigo blues.

Think of the orangey pink glow as the sunsets to create bedrooms which are warm and inviting. Add embroidered or beautifully embellished duvet sets to bring a pink bedroom right up to date in the world of interior design. Add boudoir style cushions, boa feathers along with beaded chandeliers and pink bedrooms can become far more inviting than you may think!

For a spring-time fresh look team fuchsia pink with apple green for an exciting and vibrant appearance which is crisp and clean to liven up a dark and dreary room.

Next time you think 'pink', step outside the stereotypical box and be inspired with a colour which is available in a wide palette of different shades to invigorate your home beautifully.

Image: My Notting Hill Blog

Remember, Remember The 5th of November!

I have to openly admit that I am a pyrotechnic lover! Yes, I am one of those who 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' every-time the night sky is lit up! Of course today is bonfire night in the UK, a day dedicated to remembering the plot, treason and attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament!

Of course now-a-days fireworks are used to celebrate just about everything and every occasion across the globe. Bringing the vibrancy and magical qualities of the patterns fireworks produce into your home is a great way to inject some zing into your home. Of course you could use photographs of actual exploding fireworks or create your own wall art, alternatively you could look out for fabrics which have been inspired by pyrotechnics and use them as curtains, cushions and duvet sets. Beautifully designed lighting in vases is yet another way of adding wonderful lighting effects in your home which are reminiscent of the trails of light left behind by fireworks!

If you're not into making your own soft furnishings there are some wonderful vibrant patterns and colours on the 'ready made' shelves of many high street and online retailers. The key in creating the illusion of fireworks is to have a black, night sky, back ground with vibrant contrasting patterns. Beaded embellishments will add the glittery sparkle beautifully!

Image: MocoLoco

Sleek Venetian Blinds To Compliment Kitchens Perfectly

Don't be a slave to your kitchen! Rather than rushing around like a maniac when waiting for a cake to bake, simply take it easy in relax in a kitchen which has been designed to suit modern living styles impeccably!

I'm not sure if bright candy pink would be my colour choice or the arm chairs, but I do like the area which has been designated to relaxation within a kitchen. This beautiful sunny window has the ideal window covering for kitchens; humble Venetian blinds have seen a recent revival within many kitchen interior designs. Easy to install and practical, you can see just how versatile they are. Enabling you to have complete control over the amount of natural sunlight entering the room, when used at windows of all shapes of sizes you can have them pulled up at different levels to give a very chic and stylish look which is both practical and affordable.

Opt for a neutral colour such as the latest in-trend graphite or steal colours as these compliment all colour schemes effortlessly, particularly in kitchens to coordinate with steel accessories, stainless steel sinks and cupboard handles.

Sleek, shiny and spotlessly clean kitchens don't have to be places in which you are slave to the sink or cooker, take time to relax whilst you fill your home with mouthwatering smells of homemade bread and cakes!

Image: AtticMag

Use Curtains In Your Bathroom!

Most homes, irrespective of size, opt to have blinds as their window treatment in their bathrooms. These are easy to install, easy to operate and are available in a vast array of different colours and patterns.

Make no mistake there is nothing wrong with using blinds, far from it! They are a cost effective and practical way to provide privacy as well as letting plenty of natural light flood into the room when they are rolled up. However, if you are looking for something a little more unusual and unique in your bathroom, break from tradition and use full length curtains if you windows is not situated with the sink, bath or loo above it!

Curtains add a touch of chic styling which oozes elegance when the right colour combinations are used! As most bathroom suites are white you have a whole world of gorgeous colours to choose from! For a funky look use vibrant fuchsia pink, lime green or deep purple. If you are after a monochromatic look of course you should opt for black and white. Floral patterns which trail up the length of the curtains will also give the illusion of more height in your room.

Retro looks can also look simply stunning in bathrooms. Look for mirrors with metal or mirrored frames to bring extra light in a stylish way.

The use of free standing baths in-trend enables these looks to be more easily achieved. The other trend of staying in rather than spending on nights out means you will have time to enjoy relaxing and soaking in a bath filled with fragrant bubbles! If you want to create a warm and romantic look scented candles are a good choice, just be careful where you place the candles if you use curtains to reduce the potential fire risk.

Image: Belle Maison